A hob that no longer works properly can quickly become hell in the kitchen … Thanks to the experts at SOS Accessoire, we reveal you the 7 most common failures and all their good advice on how to fix them yourself.
Gas hob:
You have faulty gas hobs ? Here are the main possible failures.
What if the flames blacken the stoves?
This is a common concern when your range is equipped with gas burners. Indeed, if the flame is of poor quality, it will produce soot which will damage your pans as well as your pots. This is due to a bad mixture between the air and the gas coming out of the burner. In this case, the shape of the flame will be more elongated, flickering, and of a coloring tending between yellow and orange.
A "beautiful flame" should have a stable shape and be bright blue in color at its center.
Two situations will create this defect. First of all, this situation can arise if the air supply adjustment has not been made correctly. It is then necessary to intervene on the adjustment ring in order to vary the air flow. Then those responsible can be the sprinklers that are not suitable and that cause too much gas. In this case, check which type of jets are suitable for your installation (for town gas or bottled gas).
Why does the ignition of my gas hob no longer work?
If you can no longer light the burners on your gas hob, you must first check whether the nozzle is not clogged with food residues. A toothbrush or a needle will then come in handy to clean it, being careful not to enlarge the hole in the element. An overflow of improperly dried liquid can also prevent the burner from functioning.
⋙ 3 tips for cleaning my hobs properly
Then you can check if the security of your device has not activated: the thermocouple. Its role is to ensure the presence of a flame when the gas supply is open. It will have to be replaced if the flame does not hold for more than 10 seconds.
If not, take a look at the gas supply valve which may have been positioned too low in the "idle" position. This setting allows you to define the minimum flame size for simmering a dish for example. It is done using a screw: to the right to decrease the flame; to the left to increase it.
Also pay attention to the "caps" of your burners: these are the mini black metal plaques which lands on the burner. If they are obstructed, it makes sense for the flame to be smothered and extinguished. A good old toothpick will then be your best asset to unclog the holes in this element.
Finally, if your hob is equipped with automatic ignition, 2 elements must be monitored:
- Candle that is used to create the spark to ignite the gas is possibly defective (cracked or broken). In this case, you can help yourself by using a match, but you will have to resolve to replace the element to find a functional hob.
- The igniter whose role is to transmit energy to the burner in order to generate the spark through the candle. It will have to be replaced in its entirety since it is used for all the burners of the cooking appliance.
If your hob seems to be out of the question, you will have to check the installation: it may be necessary to purge the pipes or else the regulator of your gas cylinder may have been placed in the safety position following too sudden movement. from the bottle.
The flame goes out or burns badly: what to do?
Do you let a dish simmer and when you come back you find that the flame has gone out? In this case, 3 things must be checked:
The regulator if your device works with a cylinder. This may not be suitable for your gas cylinder. It will be necessary to check on its label which is the required pressure: 28 mbar or 37 mbar.
But your holder can also be defective and therefore need to be replaced immediately.
Likewise, pay attention to the type of gas used ! Depending on the temperature, you will have to opt for propane or butane gas. For example, butane gas is not suitable for a room that is too cold (close to 0 ° C if your device is in a garage for example).
Electric hob:
Do you have faulty electric hobs? Here are the main possible failures.
What if my hob displays a code or flashes?
If your table sends you distress signals, Ask yourself the right questions :
- Consult the device manual to understand what this fault code corresponds to.
- Learn to identify the safety signs that appear to protect you from burns such as letter H which means "Caution hot elements." If this alert persists even when the device has cooled, this indicates a probable fault in the temperature sensor. It is then advisable to have it replaced by a professional.
- If a series of 8 is displayed or the unit beeps, this is a warning that a liquid is present or the hob control panel is too dirty, in which case, sponge and clean the hob properly. resolve the concern. Sometimes it is necessary to cut off the power supply to the device for about ten minutes.
Stained or cracked plate: can it be repaired?
If your plate is cracked, this is unfortunately irreparable and the glass will have to be replaced. Be careful with your hob and avoid too strong impacts. Be careful when installing it not to tighten it too much in the worktop or by the clips that are used to hold it.
If it's just a scratch, you should watch your cookware, as a damaged pan or saucepan is probably the cause of the deterioration.
Also pay attention to cleaning the glass surface of your plate. Do not wait to wash off food residues to prevent them from sticking too much and damaging the glass by removing them too aggressively.
Tip: Sometimes the bottom of the pan sticks to the glass. Watch out for damage if you shoot hard! It is preferable in this case to slightly heat the plate in order to remove the container very gently.
In the presence of a stubborn stain, you can use a razor blade, but with delicacy and especially by positioning the blade at 45 ° until it disappears.
The cooktop is tripping my house: what to do?
First of all, you should know that an electric hob does not have a safety system in the event of overheating. Also, a 30 mA differential arrangement must be provided during connection.
Then, check the electrical power of your installation, especially if you are operating several “greedy” devices at the same time.
The electrical supply to the hob should also be monitored as it can be faulty (sometimes nibbled by rodents or due to a large overflow of liquid).
A defective fireplace can also cause your installation to trip. If it is made of cast iron, then it will be necessary to detect a possible electrical leak using a multimeter. If it is of the radian or halogen type, a visual check will detect a problem with the wiring (melted, cut, oxidized wires).
How to avoid receiving an electric shock?
It is not very pleasant to take an electric shock while preparing the meal …
In this case, the first question is whether your device is well connected to earth. If the answer is no, then your priority will be to ground your hob to ensure effective insulation. This phenomenon occurs especially if you are in direct contact with the ground, barefoot or in socks. It is therefore essential to check whether your electrical installation is up to standard and that the socket to which the cooking appliance is plugged is properly earthed.
If your installation appears to be compliant, also remember to check the appliance's electrical cable, which may be faulty (shock, damage). Finally, check the electrical terminal block located on the device, it may be loose and burnt.
In general, check all of the electrical wires that supply power to the hob. Remember safety by cutting off the electricity at the electrical circuit breaker!
Thank you to the experts at SOS Accessoire for their good advice and tips for repairing your hob yourself.
Read also :
⋙ Oven repair: all you need to know
⋙ High-tech, household appliances … Find out what breaks down most often
⋙ Coffee machine: 5 tips to use it well and keep it for a long time